The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 394: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

TUE MYSTERITS OF LONDON. ee —_—_—_— “Thank’co kindly, Bob,” returned the Doctor, in a tone of mock oivility. “Now that we have met at last, old feller, we won't part again in a hurry,” observed Vitriol Bob after a Bauso, during which ho lighted a cigar. Just as you choose, my tulip,” said Rily, calmly puffing away and contemplating the thin blucish vapour which curled lazily from the bowl of his pipe out of tho window. ‘‘You and I have a scoro to sottle, you know, Jack,’”? continued Vitriol Bob; ‘‘ and it soems as if tho Devil had thrown us in each other’s way this cvenin’ on purpose to reggilate our accounts.” “Oh! that’s the construction you put upon it, eh?” said the Doctor, ‘ Well—just as you like,” “You know that you used me shameful in that Stamford-strect business t’othor day,” procecded Vitriol Bob. “Tt was only what you deserved for the trick you played mo, old fellow,’ retorted the Doctor, but with amazing coolness alike of tone and manner. “J don’t deny that I bilked you out of a part of your roglars in the matter alluded to,” said Bob: “but it dido’t deserve such arcturn as you gived me in tho Haunted Honse. Thank God, ] had my revenge on the old o’oman t’othor night.” ‘‘Yes—sho’s disposed of,” observed Jack; “and I can’t forgive you for it, Bob—oven if you wishod us to be friends, She was a fine old crcature,—and IJ had an affection for hor, becauso she was tho ugliest wrotch Tover saw in the shape of a woman—and her spirit was admirable.” “TY meant tho blow for you, Jack,’ said Vitriol Bob: “but its just as woll now that the bottlo broke over her, since you and mo have met again.” “Fave you got another bottle in your pocket, Bob?” domanded the Doctor: “because if we are to havo a tuzzle for it beforo we part, I may as woll put myself on as oqual terms with you as pos- sible.” “JT shan’t take no unfair advantage, Jack,” was the reply: and, as tho villain thus spoko, he slapped his hands against the skirts of his coat. his breeches’ pockets, and his breast, to convinco jiis antagonist that he had no bottle about his person. “here’s nothing like fair play, Bob,” returned the Doctor; “and thereforo if you hke to feel about ino te convineo yourself that I have no fire-arms, you're welcome.” “T'll take your word for it, Jack,” rosponded Vitriol Bob. “But I supposo you have got a clasp- knife,” T never go without one,” was the answer: “and it’s as sharp as a razor.” ‘‘So is mine,’ observod the other miscreant; and thon thero was a long pause, during which tho two men contemplated cach other with o calmness and serenity that would have prevented oven the most acuto observer from noticing the malignant light that gloamed in the depths of their cyes. And while the one continued to puff his pipe in a leisurely manner, tho other smoked his cigar with equal case; £0 that they appcared to bo two friends enjoying themselves in a pleasant way in the cool of the ovening. “TY suppose I interrupted some sport Vother night, Jack,” said Vitriol Bob, at length breaking tho silence. ‘You and the old o’oman wasn’t out together at that hour for nothink—particklerly in each a neighbourhood.” “ Yes—wo wero going te do a littlo business 389 together,” observed the Doctor. “Yon first twigged mo in Sloane Street. I saw you!” “Z knowed you did: but you didn't suspect that I follered you.” “Rathor,” said Jack Rily. “ At loast, I thought it very probable,” “You're aweer that tho old o’oman’s daad, I suppose f”” “TY said as much just now. ’Twas in the papers,” remarked Jack Rily. “Yes—I read it in the Adwertiser,” responded Vitriol Bob. There was another pause, during which the two miscreants had their glasses replenished, Tho Doctor also refilled his pipe, and the other lighted a second Cigar. “We'll mako ourselves comfortable, Jack,” said Vitriol Bob, “as long as you like: and whonover you feel disposed to go, mind that I shall be arter you.” “Well—I can’t provant that,” obsorved tho Doc- tor, coolly. “ You’ve a right to walk which way you choose in this free country,”’ “Thank’co for giving me the information,” said Bob, in a satirical tone, “ But of coursol mean to stick to you till you’re so woaried of my company that you must como to a last struggle either to shake me off altogether, or perish yourself. For, mind, if I catch you asleep, Jack, I shall stick my clasp-knife into you up to the haft.” “I’m obliged to you for lotting me know your kind intentions beforehand,” observed tho Doctor: “because I shall adopt precisely the same modo of warfare,” “Now, then, wo understand each other,” said Vitriol Bob; “and that’s a comfort. But it’s a great pity that two such fine fellers as you and mo should be at loggorheads, Howsomevor, it can’t be helped—and a reconciloment, or what- ever they call it, is impossible. Your life or mince, Jack—that’s tho question to be decided now.” “Depond upon it, old fellow, that you'll be a croaker before morning,” returned the Doctor, as ho raised his glass to his lips. “ No—it’s you that'll be a stiff’nun, my boy,” was the pleasant retort. “Time must show. Remember that it’s no infant you'll have to deal with.” “T should have boat you that night inthe Haunted House, Jack, if tho old o’oman hadn’t come to your assistance,” obsorved Vitriol Bob, with a low but diabolical chuckle, “Yes—but it was becaugo I slipped over somo- thing, old fellow,” was tho answer; “and I shall take care to koop more steady on my pins noxt time,” ‘“‘Dopend upon it that whon the death-struggle docs comy, Jack, the fust that slips will be the dead ‘un. Did you evor hear of the Kentuckian fashion = dealing with an cuemy?” demanded Vitrio) ob. “Never,” was tho reply. “But I daro say it’s something damnable—as bad, perhaps, as breaking a vitriol-bottle over a person’s faco—or else you wonldn’t know anything about it,” * You’ro right there, Jack: it’s gauging that I mein.” “ And what’s gouging, pray ?” “Tearing a fellow’s oye out of its socket,” an- swered Vitriol Bob. * One can play at that gamo es weil ag another,” ae (C(O) (C DOO <S LL (SO)